HIF-1 stabilization exerts anticancer effects in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Tumor hypoxia and high activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) correlate with adverse disease outcomes, malignancy, resistance to therapy and metastasis. Nonetheless, recent studies indicate that under certain circumstances, HIF-1 stabilization may exert protective effects and even decrease tumor cell aggressiveness. This study aimed to characterize the potential anticancer effect of molidustat (BAY 85-3934), the prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) inhibitor and HIF-1 stabilizator.